Dice shaking apparatus



Dec. 4, 1951 Filed Jan. 28, 1949 W. W. MEEKS DICE SHAKING APPARATUS 2 SHEETS--SHEET l Dec. 4, 1951 w. w. MEEKS DICE SHAKING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 28, 1949 Fig.2.

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0 I NHIIM Inven tor Woodrow W. Meeks WWW Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DICE SHAKING APPARATUS Woodrow W. Meeks, El Dorado, Ark. Application January 28, 1949, Serial No. 73,316

' 3 Claims. (01. 273-145) This invention relates to new and useful improvements and structural refinements in mechanical devices for shaking dice, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a highly efficient apparatus of this nature which, in addition to performing its primary function, will also provide a source of amusement.

This object is achieved by the provision of an apparatus including a container for dice equipped with a movable bottom, the latter being supported by a leaf spring and means being provided for imparting rapid oscillatory motion to the bottom by virtue of the spring, so that the dice in the container may be subjected to violent shaking.

A novel feature of the invention involves the provision of the dice container in a panel carrying the picture of a human figure, a portion of which appears on the movable bottom of the container so that when the bottom is in motion the figure likewise creates an impression of movement.

A further feature of the invention resides in the particular structural arrangement of the Some of the advantages of the invention reside in its simplicity of construction, in its pleasing appearance, and inits adaptability to economical manufacture.

With the above more important objects and features in view, and such other objects and features as may become apparent as this specification proceeds, the invention consists essentially of the arrangement and construction of parts as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a top plan View of the invention;

/ Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof but with the transparent cover, panel and container removed;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 3-3 in Figure 2 with the transparent cover and panel in position and illustrating the actuating mechanism of the invention in position for setting;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view, similar to that shown in Figure 3 but illustrating the mechanism already set and in readiness for operation; v

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-sectional detail, taken substantially in, the plane of the line 2 5-5 in Figure 2; and showing the transparent cover and panel in place;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially in the plane of the line 66 in Figure 1, and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view, takensubstantially in the plane of the line 1-1 in Figure 1.

Like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts in the specification and throughout the several views.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, the invention consists of a dice shaking apparatus designated generally by the reference character ID, the same embodying in its construction a substantially rectangular case l2 preferably consisting of a perimetric frame l4 provided with a bottom It which, in turn, may be equipped with a set of buttons I8 for obvious reasons.

If desired, the frame I4 may be provided for purposes of ornamentation with a pair of substantially U-shaped moldings 20 having inwardly projecting flanges 22 secured between the frame l4 and the bottom It to effectively retain the moldings in position, and it is to be noted that the adjacent ends of the moldings are spaced apart, as indicated at 24 in Figure 2.

A cardboard panel 26, or the like, is supported by the upper edges or surfaces of the frame 14 and a transparent cover 28 rests upon this panel, the panel as well as the cover being effectively retained in position by a pair of clips 30 which overlap the spaced end portions 24 of the moldings 20 and are secured to the frame l4 by suitable screws 32. It is to be noted that the clips 30 have inturned flanges 34 which extend over the cover 28 and retain the cover as well as the panel 26 in position, as aforesaid. Moreover, it will be observed that upper edge portions of the moldings 20 project above the upper edges or surfaces of the frame I4 and by engaging the marginal edges of the panel 26 and cover 28, the panel and cover are prevented from shifting laterally under the flanges 34 of the clips 30.

The panel 26 is provided with a circular opening 36 (see Figure '7) in which is positioned a frusto-conical dice container 38, this container simply assuming the form of an annular band having an upper edge formed with an outturned marginal flange 40 which rests upon the upper surface of the panel 26. It will be found that by virtue of this arrangement a portion of the panel 26 in the immediate vicinity of the opening 36 is slightl depressed so as to accommodate the flange 40 between itself and the cover 28 (see Figure '7) and a shaker plate 42 is movably positioned under the container 38, it being understood that the container projects downwardly into the case l2 through the opening 36 in the panel 26, as will be clearly apparent.

The plate 42 thus constitutes a bottom of the container 38, the plate being movably supported at one end of a leaf spring 44, to which it is secured by a suitable angle bracket 46, or the like.

The remaining end of the spring 44 is suitably secured to one arm of a bracket 48, this bracket being preferably U-shaped and having its intermediate'portion secured to the frame [4 as at B. A second arm of the bracket 48 is axially twisted as at 52 and is secured, for purposes of reinforcement, to the bottom I 6 by a suitable bolt 54. It will be apparent that by virtue of the resiliency of the spring 44, the plate 42 may be caused to violently vibrate or oscillate in the direction of the arrow 56 in Figure 2,

thus shaking the dice positioned in the container 38, as indicated at 58.

Means are provided for setti the spring 44 and plate 42 in motion, these means consisting of a reciprocable plunger 60 which is slidably mounted in the frame 14 and extends transversely through the case, 12, both end portions oi the plunger projecting outwardly from the case for purposes of manipulation. An actuating cam 62, simply assuming the form of a bracket, is secured to, one edge portion of the shaker plate 42 and is provided with an upstanding flange 64, the opposite sides of which are engageable by a pair of spaced actuating pins 66 provided On the pl n er By-observing the accompanying Figure 2 it will be apparent that when the plunger 6i!v is pushed downwardly, the lower of the pins 66 will engage the outer surface of the flange 64 and the plate 42 will be swung to the left until the lower actuating pin clears the flange 6,4 and the latter engaged by the upper actuating pin. This position of the mechanism is shown in Figure 3 and referring again to Figure 2, when the plunger 6 l l is pushed upwardly, the lower actuating pin will engage the inner surface of the flange 64 of the cam 62 and the plate 42 will be swung to the right, until a position is reached where the lower actuating pin is in readiness to disengage itself from the flange 64, as shown in Figure 4. Thereupon, further upward movement or the p un er so w d sen a e in om he cam 62, and the resiliency of thespring 44 will cause the spring together, with the plate 42 to oscillate rapidly, thus Violently shaking the dice 58.

If desired, theshaker plate 42 may be provided on the upper surface thereoi with corrugated or undulated covering 68., the wavy surface of which will tend to accentuate the shaking motion of the di asw ll be clea ly ann ent.

Referring now to the accompanying Figures 2 and 5, it will be noted that a resilient rod is provided at one end thereof with an angul-ated portion 12 which is anchored in a transverse aperture with which the plunger 60 is formed, the remaining end portion of this rod freely engaging an aperture provided in the arm of the bracket 48 which is reinforced to the case bottom 16 at 54. This rod 10 not only prevents the plunger 611 from rotating which rotation, if permitted, would result in improper alignment of the pins 66 with the flange 64, but the intermediate portion of the rod 10 is engageable with the armof the bracket 48 to which the spring 44 is secured, as indicated at [4 in Figure 2. As a result thereof, an effective stop is provided for limiting the 4 sliding movement of the plunger 60 in the direction of the arrow 16. while movement of the plunger in the relatively opposite direction may be limited by a suitable stop 18 provided on the plunger and adapted to come in contact with the frame 14.

Finally, it is to be noted that the upper surface of the panel [6 is provided with a picture 80, preferably in the form of a Hawaiian dancer, this picture being so disposed on the panel: that the skirt 82 of the dancer appears on the covering 68 of the shaker plate 42. As a result, when the shaker plate is in motion, the figure will create an impression of being in motion, as Will be readily understood. In addition, suitable indicia exemplified at 84 may be provided on the, panel H3, in order to assist the players of the game in keeping their score.

It is to be pointed out that the side members of the frame [4 are recessed as at 86 and 88, so as to. provide respectively a seat, in which the bracket 48 may be mounted and, clearance for the movable plate 42, as indicated in Figure 2 It is believed that the advantages and use of the invention will be clearly understood from the foregoing disclosure and accordingly, further description thereof at this point is deemed unnecessary.

While in the foregoing there has been shown and described the preferredembodiment of this invention it is to be understood that minor changes in the details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

l. In a dice shaking; apparatus, a substantially rectangular case having a transparent cover, a panel positioned in said case below said cover and formed with'an opening, a dice container pro vided in said opening, a shaker plate provided under, said container and constituting a bottom therefor, a leaf spring having one end thereof secured in said case and supporting said shaker plate at its remaining end, a cam provided on said plate, a reciprocable plunger extending through said case, and a pair of spaced actuating pins provided on said plunger and engageable with said cam, whereby said spring and said plate may be subjected to oscillatory movement for shaking dice in said con tainer, said container consisting of an annular band having an upper edge formed with an outtur-ned marginal flange positioned in overlying relation to the edge of said opening, said annular band extending downwardly from said panel through said opening, together with a bracket secured in said case and including a. pair of spaced arms, said leaf spring being secured to one of said arms, the remaining arm beingparallel to said plunger and providedwith-an aperture, and a resilientrcd having oneendfixedly secured to said plunger and at right angles thereto, the remainingend portionof said rod disposed in the aperture of said remaining arm whereby rotation of said plunger is prevented.

2. In a dice shaking apparatus, a. substantially rectangular casehaving a transparent cover, a panel positioned in said, case below said cover and formed with an opening, a dice container providedin said opening, a. shaker plate provided under said container and constituting a, bottom therefor, a leaf spring; having one end thereof secured in said caseand supporting said shaker plate at its remaining end, a cam provided on said plate, a reciprocable plunger extending through said case, and a pair of spaced actuating pins provided on said plunger and engageable with said cam, whereby said spring and said plate may be subjected to oscillatory movement for shaking dice in said container, said container consisting of an annular band having an upper edge formed with an outturned marginal flange positioned in overlying relation to the edge of said opening, said annular band extending downwardly from said panel through said opening together with a bracket secured in said case and including a pair of spaced arms, said leaf spring being secured to one of said arms, the remaining arm being parallel to said plunger and provided with an aperture, a resilient rod having one end fixedly secured to said plunger and at right angles thereto, the remaining end portion of said rod disposed in the aperture of said remaining arm whereby rotation of said plunger is prevented, and an intermediate portion of said rod being engageable with the spring supporting arm of said bracket to provide a stop for said plunger.

3. In a dice shaking apparatus, a substantially rectangular case having a transparent cover, a panel positioned in said case below said cover and formed with an opening, a dice container provided in said opening, a shaker plate provided under said container and constituting a bottom therefor, a leaf spring having one end thereof secured in said case and supporting said shaker plate at its remaining end, a cam provided on said plate, a reciprocable plunger extending through said case, a pair of spaced actuating pins provided on said plunger and engageable with said cam,

whereby said spring and said plate may be subjected to oscillatory movement for shaking dice in said container, said container consisting of an annular band having an upper edge formed with an outturned marginal flange positioned in overlying relation to the edge of said opening, said annular band extending downwardly from said panel through said opening, together with a bracket secured in said case and including a pair of spaced arms, said leaf spring being secured to one of said arms, the remaining arm being parallel to said plunger and provided with an aperture, a resilient rod having one end fixedly secured to said plunger and at right angles thereto, the remaining end portion of said rod disposed in the aperture of said remaining arm whereby rotation of said plunger is prevented, an intermediate portion of said rod being engageable with the spring supporting arm of said bracket to provide a stop for said plunger, and said shaker plate being provided with transversely extending undulations.

WOODROW W. MEEKS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 688,561 Volk Dec. 10, 1901 1,594,016 Marshall July 2'7, 1926 1,887,068 Renz Nov. 8, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 623,952 France Oct. 30, 1926 

